World renown chef Heston Blumenthal said working up to 22 hours a day at the Melbourne reincarnation of his flagship restaurant - the Fat Duck - pushed him to the brink of exhaustion.

Mr Blumenthal temporarily moved his three Michelin star restaurant from England to Southgate, Melbourne, during renovations between February and August last year - much to the delight of salivating Australian foodies.

The 49-year-old chef, who was 'six years into a divorce' at the time, said the project took its toll physically and emotionally - leaving him 'deliriously exhausted.

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Hot ticket: Renowned chef, Heston Blumenthal, is set to open four pop-up restaurants in Melbourne this March

'I was on the absolute edge, working 20 to 22 hours a day,' he told the Herald Sun.

'I'd work a full day here, then, at night time, the UK would wake up ... and I'd do the day shift in England.'

He said his time in Australia allowed him to focus on experimenting with new ideas which resulted in the invention of some uniquely 'Heston' dishes.

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'My time in Melbourne taught me to chuck out the superfluous. I'm now more bullish about getting things out of my life so I can spend more time in the sandpit, playing and experimenting.'

Fans will get an insider's perspective when his journey Down Under is detailed in an exclusive four-part series called 'Inside Heston's World', which will premier on SBS in March.

Following the superchef's the success with the Melbourne Fat Duck, Mr Blumenthal decided to open four hidden pop-up restaurants across Melbourne in March.

Snap up fast: Diners will have to snap them up fast, however, as they are set to be free and one-service only

The 'Hidden Heston' restaurants will pop up for one night only in separate secret locations across the city, in a move that is associated with MasterChef Australia and Channel 10's 'Heston Week'.

Open for just one service only, the tickets are bound to go like hotcakes, especially when you take into account that the menus will be available absolutely free of charge.

Clues to the whereabouts of each pop-up are a closely guarded secret, and they will not be released until the restaurant is ready to open its doors to the public.

To receive an invitation, lucky diners will have to solve clues posted on MasterChef Australia's Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts.

People will also have to explain why they want to attend the pop-up in 25 words or less. The venture has already been described as a completely 'unique dining experience'.

In with a chance: To win, people will have to keep their eye on Masterchef Australia's social media accounts

'Coming on MasterChef Australia over the years has always been amazing fun, but this time, out of the studio and into this great foodie city that I love, popping up with MasterChef Australia, is even more exciting,' Blumenthal said in a statement this week.

The chef is a self-confessed Melbournite, calling the city his 'second home' since Dinner opened its doors last October.

The city also seems to love him, as some 15,000 foodies enjoyed a seat at the Fat Duck when it occupied a six-month residency in Crown Casino last year.

Melbourne fan: Blumenthal is already a self-confessed Melbournite, calling the city his 'second home' last year

Luxury experience: He opened Dinner last October in Melbourne, and the famous Fat Duck for six months

This venture, however, marks a significant departure for the man who is famed for his inventive dishes including bacon and egg ice cream, snail porridge and mock turtle soup.

That doesn't mean it will be any less popular, so fans would be best advised to be prepared.

The eighth series of MasterChef Australia will premiere in May 2016 on Network 10. All three judges from the previous series will return, alongside new guest judge Nigella Lawson.

Unusual ingredients: Heston is known for his unusual creations including snail porridge and mock turtle soup

Famous return: MasterChef Australia will return this May, with the introduction of guest judge Nigella Lawson